Ice lollies help tigers keep their cool

Animals at Woburn Safari Park have been treated to ice lollies, to help them keep their cool during this week's mini-heatwave.
20-month old Amur tiger cub Milashki enjoys a blood iced lolly20-month old Amur tiger cub Milashki enjoys a blood iced lolly
20-month old Amur tiger cub Milashki enjoys a blood iced lolly

With temperatures soaring, keepers at the park are treating North American black bears, Barbary macaques and critically endangered Amur tigers by hiding homemade lollies throughout their reserves for them to find.

The tigers wasted no time in tucking into delicious frozen blood lollies which were hidden across their nine-acre reserve, encouraging them to stalk, hunt and climb, as they would in the wild.

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After squabbling over their treats, the playful sisters managed to drop one in their pool and had a great time playing with their new floating toy.

Tiger cubs Milashki (left) and Mishka (right) play in the poolTiger cubs Milashki (left) and Mishka (right) play in the pool
Tiger cubs Milashki (left) and Mishka (right) play in the pool

Woburn’s North American black bears, including the park’s most confident bear, Big Mac, were excited to discover a treasure trove of frozen ice lollies made of fruit and vegetables.

Woburn Safari Park is the only place in the UK where visitors can see this bear species.

The troop of Barbary macaques enjoyed low-sugar iced treats made of a mixture of nuts, seeds, yellow peppers, radish and celeriac, before taking a dip in the pool.

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Team leader Chris Smart said: “With the weather so hot this week, it has been lovely to see the animals’ reactions to the iced treats.

Barbary macaque Naboo tucks into an iced snackBarbary macaque Naboo tucks into an iced snack
Barbary macaque Naboo tucks into an iced snack

“Enrichment is extremely important as it enhances the quality of the animals’ lives.

“We are always trying to find new ways to provide enrichment at Woburn. It’s all about encouraging them to engage in natural behaviours.”